Non-chemical water treatment method and apparatus employing ionized air purification technologies

Abstract

Contaminated water is disinfected by admixture of a highly reactive gas stream containing ions of oxygen and nitrogen, formed by exposure of air to short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation, and of chlorine, formed by electrolysis of a brine solution. Solids removal can be accomplished by electrophoresis in the same unit employed for electrolysis of brine to release chlorine, or in a separate unit.

1. An apparatus for the disinfection of water contaminated by the presence of microorganisms and biological contaminants, and for removal of destroyed organisms and other solids therefrom, comprising:
 means for exposing a stream of air to short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation, whereby ions of oxygen and nitrogen are formed in said stream of air; 
 means for exposing the stream of air to an electric field; 
 a vessel having a lower settling zone, and an upper electrolysis zone; 
 said vessel having an inlet communicating with said lower settling zone, for admission of said stream of air containing ions of oxygen and nitrogen, and admission of a stream of water to be disinfected, said stream containing at least a minimum content of salt, forming a brine, 
 a number of spaced parallel plates of conductive material being disposed in said electrolysis zone of said vessel; 
 a source of direct current connected to alternating ones of said plates, such that an electric field exists between alternating pairs of plates, whereby brine in said vessel is electrolyzed, releasing ionized chlorine, whereby said ionized chlorine and said ions of oxygen and nitrogen destroy microorganisms and biological contaminants in said water, 
 said destroyed microorganisms and biological contaminants being agglomerated on said plates, together with other solids in said water stream, 
 wherein said direct current applied to alternating ones of said plates is reversed in polarity from time to time; 
 whereby lighter portions of said destroyed microorganisms and biological contaminants and other solids tend to float upwardly and form a foam on the surface of water in said vessel, and heavier portions of said destroyed microorganisms and biological contaminants and other solids tend to fall downwardly and settle in said settling zone of said vessel. 
 
     
     
       2. The vessel of  claim 1 , wherein a weir is provided at the upper portion of said vessel, for separating said foam from disinfected water.